-
Search
NEWSLETTER – 19 September 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It’s good to step back sometimes, and look again at something familiar, to really appreciate its value. There are so many opportunities to experience adventure at Windermere and these experiences have a value that extend not just across the curriculum but also far into the future.
Academic success must be a given for any successful independent school. The achievement beyond expectations at GCSE in Years 10 and 11, and at IB this year show that the young people at Windermere are successful academically. However, is it enough? In the past, most people believed strong grades were the single most important marker for life time success. Today, more and more people are realising that there has to be more.
The ‘more’ is exactly what experiences of adventure give us. This was made really clear to me today when I was listening to Leo Houlding. He is both a parent and governor at Windermere and is a professional climber. He explained that most people have one of two responses to the perception of danger – fight or flight. There is though, a third way: stop, think, process what needs to be done and then go through the danger.
We believe that in educating young people in the principles of the Round Square and giving them experiences of adventure, where they need to use their courage in the face of challenges, we are giving them future-proof skills of leadership. Being able to face challenges, often with incomplete knowledge, to accurately assess risk and to find a way through which is most likely to succeed; that is an ability which can only be born of experience.
As you read our recent news, I hope you feel as I do, which is that we are giving our young people the challenges and experiences that give them the best chances of success and fulfilment in their lives ahead.
Frank Thompson
Head of Windermere School
LATEST NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 22 – 24 September – Prep Parents’ Meeting Week, Pre School – Year 6
Tuesday 23 September – Year 7 Sleepover at Langdale House
Wednesday 24 September – Stannite Michelle Rothwell’s Reflection
Thursday 25 September – Year 1 & 2 Adventure morning at Tarn Howes
Friday 26 September – Open Morning, 10am
Monday 29 September – Year 6 Expedition, departs
Tuesday 30 September – Year 6 Expedition, returns
Wednesday 1 October – Year 3 Art Day
Saturday 4 October – Jo Gaskins Sponsored Swim – Donate here
School of Rock Tickets now available – Book here!
STANNITE NEWS
Pushing the Limits of Human Endurance
We are delighted to welcome back Stannite Michelle Rothwell on 24 September, when she will be speaking to our pupils about resilience, courage and the power of determination.
Michelle is the creator – and the only finisher – of the extraordinary Shelly Rothwell Round, a challenge she designed to test the very limits of mind and body. It is as tough as it is inspiring:
A 10.5-mile swim across the full length of Lake Windermere – no wetsuit, 12.5°C water, 10 hours in the lake. She emerged with hypothermia, but carried on.
A 112-mile cycle following the infamous Fred Whitton route, with 3,500m of brutal climbing.
A 66-mile run around the legendary Bob Graham Round – 42 peaks, 8,200m of ascent, wind chill below zero, and hallucinations in the dark.
Plus an extra 17.5 miles on the bike to link the stages together.
And she did it all in under 3 days, without sleep and without shortcuts. Michelle’s story is not only about athletic achievement—it’s about vision, grit, and redefining what’s possible. We are excited for our pupils to be inspired by her remarkable journey.
An incredible weekend of achievement!
Three of our fabulous teachers — Mrs Murray, Mr Western and Mr Otunnu — and our amazing Year 13 student Charlie took on The Lap, a 47-mile ultra-marathon around Lake Windermere and over the surrounding mountains.
A huge congratulations to all four for completing such an epic challenge! And a special shout-out to Charlie, who brought home a trophy for being the youngest runner in the race — an amazing effort and an inspiration to us all!
